Talent/ Skill was there, just too small and slow to make an impact at high levels. But, you're are dead on that <20 is a total crap shoot.
Padraig on Extratime said that he and Fraser have been in Argentina for the past 8 daysHmmmm#Rapids96— Juanners (@Juanners715) November 21, 2019
Good interview with Smith on our offseason plans. Sounds like they're targeting a high-end midfielder with MLS experience, a DP attacking mid, and a winger (may or may not be a DP). Plus some veteran experience to back up our young defensive line (again I say, Drew Moor is a free agent). https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019...lieve-they-have-defensive-tandem-build-around
This response begs the question, then: how important is a solid and positionally-dedicated DM to the performance of this evolving Rapids team? A young acquisition probably isn’t going to grow into a quality DM with Acosta and Price as mentors... they’ve not established their qualities in that area specifically. They seem the closest we have to a DM, but Pablo, Azira, and that other guy from Central America who went to Dallas seemed more dedicated to that position. So... do the Rapids really need another Azira or Pablo right now if it means supplanting Acosta or Price?
For me, my worries is that we really don't actually have a true DM on the roster right now. I'm talking the Beckerman/Bradly/Cronin/Olonso type. If we go out and get the attacking midfielder and the winger that Smith keeps hinting at, then who is the "high-end midfielder" that he wants to get and how does he fit? So, our lineup right now would probably be, based on the formations we used last year: Kamara Lewis/Shinyashiki - Rubio/DP Attacking mid - Nicholson/Winger Price - Acosta Vines - Trusty/Smith - Abubakar - Rosenberry Price and Acosta aren't DM's, at least they haven't shown the capability to really be that player in the past. If we bring in those pieces without putting someone in to help on the defensive front, then we have the possibility of really being stretched thin. Don't get me wrong, I really want that DP attacking mid. But who do we have currently as that defensive stalwart who can really help out the defense when we get spread out? It really seems like they enjoy throwing Vines and Rosenberry overlapping on the wings when attacking, which basically leaves our two CB's to cover a ton of space and not a lot of support when Price and Acosta go forward like they seem to really like to. I really like having Price and Acosta, but I'm not sure they are the DM fit we need if we get both a winger and a DP attacking mid. I fear one of them may have to sit and fight their way into the starting XI
I am with you. Price and Acosta are more 8's than 6's. Yes, they have defensive responsibilities and play box-to-box but can they be trusted to sit a little deeper and be that buffer between the low block and middle block? Can they fight their natural inclination to go forward when the game calls for them to have more defensive responsibility? I think it all hinges on Fraser's formation and style of play. Fraser will have options. That's the bonus. On paper alone, you have a pretty flexible group of players. They are necessarily built for one style and one formation only. For me, I am a huge fan of a 3-5-2 (attacking) that morphs into a 5-3-2 on the defensive side of the ball. I am a huge believer in the usage of "wingbacks". I don't know if Vines or Rosenberry are capable wingbacks. Rosenberry in particular. I'm unsure if they could be trusted to do so. I also don't know if playing with 3 CBs in that formation suits the best abilities of Trusty, Smith, and Abubakar.
I think we're a little to focused on needing a DM without actually explaining why we need one. Certainly we didn't have a true DM last year and after the coaching change our defense didn't seem like we particularly needed one. Likewise we tend to be a little too focused on needing a #10. There are formations and tactics that are successful without a DM, a #10, or both. I'd rather find the tactics that work with the quality players we have supplemented with additional signing than try to add a bunch of new players to play a new set of tactics leaving us with putting talent on the bench.
Agreed. Formations and tactics should be based on what you have at your disposal. Always been a firm believer players dictate the tactics / formation not the other way around. There are too many examples of failures when coaches are insistent on playing ABC formation when they have XYZ players. Like you eluded to, in the modern game many successful teams don't have a defined #10 or # 6. There's fluidity among positions. There's fluidity among formations and tactics. Fraser seems like a dude that is dialed into that belief.
My thoughts exactly. If we roll the same formations/tactics like we did last year, then we are in trouble without the DM. That being said, I don't fully suspect that Fraser is going to be running the same style of play we had at the end of last year - and he even alluded to creating his own system when he was interviewed by ExtraTime Radio a couple months back. Depending on the tactics and formations he builds, we may honestly not need a true DM. I'm very interested to see what Robin builds and the system he puts into place after his short successful stint last year. We've got good players to build on, and it sounds like we're going to be bringing in some more good players too. I'm hopeful his vision is a good one, and can take the success we had last year and take it to the next level.
I don't care about getting a Cronin/Azira type - somebody who runs around and kicks people but contributes nothing to the attack. I want mids who can both defend and contribute to the attack.
I'm not talking Hudson's "tactics" (and I use that term loosely there), I'm talking Casey and Fraser's tactics. Whenever we got burned, and we got burned a lot last year, it was usually because we were overexposed in the back. I postulate that it's because we didn't have a great lock-down defensive midfielder. Teams could just make two or three passes and be in behind the defense. I don't care to have the Cronin type again - that wasn't exactly exciting soccer to watch. But we certainly missed out on having a defensive mid last year who could give our back line the coverage they so desperately needed. If Fraser continues to build his own style and his own system - which I'm sure will be different than the several games he had last year (based solely on his comments in that aforementioned interview), then I don't think we need a true DM. If we continue to do the 4-2-3-1 with the wing backs pushing up and Price/Acosta getting into wider attacking positions like we did last year, we're going to continue to get exposed. But like I said before, I don't think we're going to run that way. It all hinges on the system Fraser builds
We were a top 10 defense for the last 2/3rds of the season. I don't think that qualifies as being burned a lot.
So according to everyone’s go-to source for soccer information (comment sections in MLS.com articles) Rapids are in talks with Drew Moor and Jeff Larentowitcz. Straight from commenter “Cedar WEW’s” keyboard. “Drew Moor and Jeff Larentowicz are both headed back to colorado. And no, this isn't just fantasy, I know for a fact that the club is neogiating with them” Hmmm, Dmid “issue” solved.
Drew Moor I believe, Larentowicz I doubt. Moor fills an obvious need that's been identified by Smith, Larentowicz isn't an obvious backup to anyone on the team other than Danny Wilson, who himself is a backup. Plus Moor is a club legend who will be in the Gallery of Honor after retirement. Larentowicz was a good player here but not that level.
I would love to see moor as a backup and leader. He always did an amazing job of recognizing the supporters and could being some of that to the young guys. Plus, he is probably good for a few games along the way. Would love to see him finish in burgundy.
Moor will be 36 in January, JL wil be 37 in August, so arguably too old just by the numbers. I’ve not kept track of Moor’s play but JL was still making regular appearances for AUFC this season, including a start in their final game. I can’t really judge how useful they’d be to us with Fraser as coach, but it seems minimal. Might be good for late game bunkering...? All this speculation from a dubious “source”, of course.
Why don’t we try to sign Zidane? All we have to do it get Real Madrid to fire him again . He’s only 47